Fuel Waivers
EPA, working with the Department of Energy, responds quickly to address fuel supply disruptions caused by, for example, refinery or pipeline infrastructure damage as the result of a hurricane or other natural disaster, by issuing emergency waivers of certain fuel standards in affected areas. When issued, these temporary waivers are necessary to help ensure that an adequate supply of fuel is available, particularly for emergency vehicle needs. There were no waivers issued in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.
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On this page are the following fuel waivers:
2016 | 2014 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
On other pages:
2016 Fuels Waivers
Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia
On November 3, 2016, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirements in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Multi-State Fuel Waiver
Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia
On September 16, 2016, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirements in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Multi-State Fuel Waiver
Georgia and Tennesee
On September 14, 2016, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirement through the end of the “high ozone” season (which expires at 11:59 p.m. September 15, 2016) to 13 counties (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale) in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, and five counties (Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson) in metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee. Fuel Waiver Concerning Atlanta, Georgia and Nashville, Tennesee
2014 Fuels Waiver
Tennesee
On June 6, 2014, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) and ethanol requirements in Shelby County, Tenn. (which includes Memphis) through June 26, 2014. Fuel Waiver Concerning Shelby County, Tennessee
2012 Fuels Waivers
New York and New Jersey
On November 16, EPA extended the multi-state waiver of RFG requirements in NY and NJ, and the waiver of diesel fuel requirements in NY and NJ, through December 7. Fuel Waiver Concerning New York and New Jersey
- Related IRS Waiver: On November 20, 2012, in response to continuing shortages of clean diesel fuel caused by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS waived tax penalties when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used highway, and for the use of diesel fuel that does not meet EPA sulfur requirements, in New York and New Jersey through December 7, 2012.
New York and Pennsylvania
On November 2, EPA waived the requirement for use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel in emergency response vehicles and equipment in the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties in New York, and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as the result of Hurricane Sandy through November 20, 2012. Fuel Waiver Concerning New York and Pennsylvania
- Related IRS Waiver: On November 3, 2012, in response to shortages of clean diesel fuel caused by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS waived tax penalties when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used highway, and for the use of diesel fuel that does not meet EPA sulfur requirements, in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, through November 20, 2012.
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia
On October 31, due to pipeline disruptions distributing fuel to the northeast, EPA waived requirements for the use of Reformulated Gasoline in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and the District of Columbia. In addition, also waived were additional requirements prohibiting "blending" of certain types of gasoline, applicable in each of these states, as well as in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, to facilitate distribution of fuel to areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, through November 20, 2012. Multi-State Fuel Waiver
- Q: Are parties who produce, import or distribute gasoline under the EPA's October 31, 2012, multi-state waiver required to add ethanol to gasoline blends?
- A: No. In the states covered by the multi-state waiver, parties can produce, import and distribute gasoline from CBOB, RBOB, RFG and conventional gasoline without blending oxygenates, including ethanol. (If supplies are available, EPA recommends blending ethanol, but it is not required under the waiver.) Parties who produce, import and distribute gasoline for sale in the areas covered by the waiver must ensure that the gasoline that they sell and distribute meets all other applicable standards.
New Jersey
On November 1, EPA waived the requirement for use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel in emergency response vehicles in New Jersey, as the result of Hurricane Sandy through November 20, 2012. Fuel Waiver Concerning New Jersey
- Related IRS Waiver: On November 3, 2012, in response to shortages of clean diesel fuel caused by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS waived tax penalties when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used highway, and for the use of diesel fuel that does not meet EPA sulfur requirements, in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, through November 20, 2012.
On October 31, 2012, EPA waived requirements for use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, and to instead allow the use of high sulfur heating oil, in certain generators and pumps used for emergency purposes in New Jersey through November 13, 2012. Fuel Waiver Concerning New Jersey
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
On September 4, 2012, EPA waived requirements for use of low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) "summertime" gasoline in the following states, through the end of the high ozone period on September 15, 2012: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Multi-State Fuel Waiver Concerning, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
Louisiana
On August 28, 2012, EPA issued an emergency waiver, through September 6, 2012, of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) in the following fourteen Louisiana parishes: Ascension, E. Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Point Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. Mary and W. Baton Rouge. Fuel Waiver Concerning the Louisiana parishes
2011 Fuels Waivers
On September 10, 2011, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements in Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley Area of Pennsylvania through September 15, 2011. Fuel Waiver Concerning the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley Area, Pennsylvania .
On August 11, 2011, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) and ethanol requirements in Shelby County, Tenn. (which includes Memphis) through August 31, 2011. Fuel Waiver Concerning Shelby County, Tennessee .
2008 Fuels Waivers issued for the following States:
Arizona
On October 10, EPA issued an emergency waiver from November 1 through November 15, of the federally-enforceable requirement under Arizona's State Implementation Plan for "Type 2" Cleaner Burning Gasoline in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal and Yavapai Counties. Fuel Waiver Concerning Arizona
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
On September 11, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 15 of the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) and ethanol requirements for gasoline in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, and of the RVP, ethanol and reformulated gasoline requirements for Texas through September 30. Multi-State Fuel Waiver Concerning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
On September 17, a superseding fuel waiver for Texas was issued.
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and North Carolina
On September 5, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) and ethanol requirements in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and North Carolina, and of the state RVP requirements in Georgia and Alabama, through September 15. Multi-State Fuel Waiver Concerning Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina
District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
On September 18, EPA issued an emergency waiver through October 7, of the Reformulated Gasoline requirements in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Fuel Waiver Concerning the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
Florida
On September 5, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 15, of the Reid Vapor Pressure requirements for gasoline in Florida. Fuel Waiver Concerning Florida
On August 22, EPA issued an emergency waiver through August 27, of the Reid Vapor Pressure requirements for gasoline in Duval County, Florida. Fuel Waiver Concerning Duval County, Florida
Georgia
On September 23, EPA issued an emergency waiver through October 12, of the Georgia low-sulfur gasoline requirements for the Atlanta area. Fuel Waiver Concerning Georgia
Kentucky
On September 17, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 30, of the Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) requirements in the counties of Boone, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, and those parts of Bullitt and Oldham where RFG is required. Fuel Waiver Concerning Kentucky
Louisiana
On August 29, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 8, of the Reid Vapor Pressure and ethanol requirements for gasoline in certain parishes in Louisiana. Fuel Waiver Concerning Louisiana
Ohio
On September 12, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure requirements in Ohio. Fuel Waiver Concerning Ohio
Texas
On September 17, EPA issued an emergency waiver through October 1, of the Reid Vapor Pressure and Reformulated Gasoline requirements for parts of eastern and coastal Texas. This waiver supersedes the September 11 multi-state waiver as it applies to Texas. Fuel Waiver Concerning Texas
On September 15, EPA issued an emergency waiver to allow federal Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel to be used in the 110-county area of eastern Texas where Texas Low-Emission Diesel (TxLED) fuel is required, through September 30. Fuel Waiver Concerning a 110-county area of eastern Texas
On August 31, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 10, of the Reid Vapor Pressure, ethanol and Reformulated Gasoline requirements for parts of eastern and coastal Texas. Fuel Waiver Concerning Texas
Tennessee
On September 11, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 15, of the Reid Vapor Pressure and ethanol requirements for gasoline in certain counties in Tennessee. Fuel Waiver Concerning Tennessee
Virginia
On September 12, EPA issued an emergency waiver through September 26, of the Reformulated Gasoline requirements in Virginia. Fuel Waiver Concerning Virginia
2007 Fuels Waivers
On August 29, EPA issued a waiver through September 15, concerning North Dakota's gasoline volatility requirements. Fuel Waiver Concerning North Dakota
On June 1, EPA issued an emergency waiver through June 11, of the requirements for low Reid Vapor Pressure in gasoline sold in North Carolina. Fuel Waiver Concerning North Carolina Gasoline Requirements
2006 Fuel Waiver
On July 25, EPA issued a waiver through September 3, concerning Meto-East St. Louis area RVP requirements. Fuel Waiver concerning Meto-East St. Louis
2005 Fuels Waivers Have Been Issued for the Following States and Areas
Remarks by EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson on August 31, 2005 regarding the issuance of fuel waivers (You will need to use your "back" button to return to this page.)
Nationwide fuel waiver issued to bolster fuel supplies
On Aug. 31, EPA waived the requirement to sell "summer gasoline" which contains a lower volatility limit. This action has the effect of allowing early use of wintertime gasoline. EPA is also allowing the use of diesel fuel that exceeds 500 ppm sulfur content. Both waivers were effective through Sept. 15 and were applicable throughout all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Emergency Nationwide Fuel Waiver in Response to Hurricane Katrina
Phoenix, Arizona
On Sept.13, EPA issued an emergency waiver until Sept. 30, of the requirements for low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) in gasoline sold in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. Fuel Waiver for Phoenix, Arizona's RVP Season
California
On Oct. 20, EPA issued a third emergency waiver through Oct. 31, of the requirements for low RVP in gasoline sold in California. Fuel Waiver Concerning the California Gasoline Volatility Requirements
On Sept. 27, EPA issued a second emergency waiver through Oct. 24, of the requirements for low RVP in gasoline sold in California. Fuel Waiver Concerning the California Gasoline Volatility Requirements
On Sept.13, EPA issued an emergency waiver through Oct. 3, of the requirements for low RVP in gasoline sold in California. Fuel Waiver concerning the California Gasoline Volatility Requirements
Atlanta, Georgia Area
On Sept. 27, EPA issued a third emergency waiver through Oct. 25, of the Georgia low-sulfur gasoline requirements for the Atlanta area. Fuel Waiver Concerning Atlanta, GA, Gasoline Requirements
On Sept. 9, EPA granted a second waiver through Oct. 5, of gasoline that does not meet Georgia's low-sulfur requirements for the Atlanta area. Second Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Atlanta, Georgia Gasoline Requirements
On Sept. 1, EPA waived through Sept. 15, the low sulfur gasoline requirements for the Atlanta area. Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Georgia Gasoline Sulfur Requirements, September 2005
Tennessee, Kentucky and PADD I (East Coast) and III (Gulf Coast)
On Oct. 25, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through Nov. 14, for Kentucky. The waiver takes effect on Oct. 26, when the previous highway diesel waiver expires in Kentucky. Fuel Waiver Concerning Diesel Fuel in the State of Kentucky
On Oct. 4, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through Oct. 25, for Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky, and states located in Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD) III. The waiver takes effect upon expiration of the Sept. 13 diesel fuel waiver for Kentucky and all states located in PADDs I (East Coast) and III (Gulf Coast), and the Sept. 27 diesel fuel waiver for Kentucky. Fuel Waiver Concerning Diesel Fuel
On Sept. 30, EPA issued an emergency waiver to add the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the Sept. 13 waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirements in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts PADDs I and III and the State of Tennessee. Fuel Waiver Concerning Diesel Fuel in Kentucky
On Sept. 13, EPA issued an emergency waiver until Oct. 5, of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirements in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts PADDs I and III and the State of Tennessee. Fuel Waiver concerning Diesel Fuel
Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi
On Oct. 25, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through Nov. 14, for Mississippi. The waiver takes effect on Oct. 26, when the previous highway diesel waiver expires in Mississippi. Fuel Waiver Concerning Diesel Fuel in the State of Mississippi
On Oct. 24, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur diesel fuel requirement for Florida. This waiver takes effect on Oct. 26, upon expiration of an Oct. 4 diesel fuel waiver that applies in a number of East and Gulf Coast states, including the State of Florida. Fuel Waiver Concerning Diesel Fuel in the State of Florida
On Oct. 7, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver to temporarily raise the per-gallon cap on sulfur in conventional gasoline produced at the Citgo refinery in Lake Charles, La., from Oct. 11 through Oct. 15, and to allow this fuel to be distributed and sold in those portions of Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADDs) I (East Coast) and III (Gulf Coast), and the States of Kentucky and Tennessee, where conventional gasoline may be used. Fuel Waiver for the Gasoline Sulfur Cap, Lake Charles Refinery
On Aug. 30, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver of the RVP and diesel sulfur standards for Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. This waiver was superseded by the Aug. 31, nationwide fuels waiver.
Iowa and Nebraska
On Oct. 24, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through Nov. 13, for Iowa and Nebraska .
St. Louis, Missouri
On Oct. 6, EPA issued a second emergency waiver to allow conventional gasoline to be sold and distributed in the St. Louis-covered area, through midnight Oct. 27. Second Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning St. Louis RFG Covered Area
On Sept. 27, EPA granted an emergency waiver to allow conventional gasoline to be sold and distributed in the St. Louis-covered area until midnight on Oct. 7. Retail outlets and wholesale purchaser-consumers will be allowed to continue selling or dispensing this fuel after Oct. 7 until their supplies are depleted. Fuel Waiver Concerning St. Louis RFG Covered Area
Texas
On Oct. 18, at the request of the State of Texas, EPA issued an emergency waiver that delays the phased-in implementation of the Texas Low-Emission Diesel (TXLED) program. The new compliance dates for the TXLED program are Oct. 31 for refiners, Dec. 15 for terminals, and Jan. 31, 2006, for retail outlets. Second Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel Waiver
On Sept. 30, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver to temporarily raise the per-gallon cap on sulfur in conventional gasoline produced at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, through Oct. 6th, and to allow this fuel to be distributed and sold in Kentucky, Tennessee and PADDs I and III. Fuel Waiver for the Gasoline Sulfur Cap
On Sept. 27, EPA granted an emergency waiver to allow conventional gasoline to be sold and distributed in both the Houston-Galveston and the Dallas/Fort Worth reformulated-gasoline-covered areas through Oct. 20. Retail outlets and wholesale purchaser-consumers will be allowed to continue selling or dispensing this fuel after Oct. 20, until their supplies are depleted. Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Dallas and Houston, Texas, RFG Requirements
On Sept. 27, at the request of the State of Texas, EPA issued an emergency waiver that delays implementation of the Texas Low-Emission Diesel (TXLED) program that was to have been phased-in beginning Oct. 1. Under the waiver, the new compliance dates for the TXLED program are Oct. 20, for refiners, Dec. 4 for terminals, and Jan. 20, 2006, for retail outlets. Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel Waiver
On Sept. 22, EPA granted a waiver to allow conventional gasoline to be sold and distributed in both the Houston-Galveston and the Dallas/Fort Worth reformulated-gasoline-covered areas through Sept. 30. Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Dallas and Houston, Texas RFG Requirements
On Sept. 21, EPA granted a waiver to allow conventional gasoline to be sold and distributed in both the Houston-Galveston and the Dallas/Fort Worth reformulated-gasoline-covered areas through Sept. 26. This waiver was superseded by the Sept. 22, waiver. Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Houston, Texas, RFG Requirements
On Sept. 13, EPA issued an emergency waiver until Oct. 1 of the requirements for low RVP in gasoline sold in Texas. Fuel Waiver for Texas RVP Season
Richmond, Virginia Area
On Sept. 27, EPA granted a fourth waiver to continue to allow regulated parties to distribute and sell conventional gasoline in the Richmond-covered area through Oct. 20. Retail outlets and wholesale purchaser-consumers will be allowed to continue selling or dispensing this fuel until their supplies are depleted. Fourth Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Richmond, VA, RFG Requirements
On Sept. 22, EPA granted a third waiver to allow regulated parties to continue distributing and selling conventional gasoline in the Richmond covered area through Sept. 30. Third Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Richmond, Virginia RFG Requirements
On Sept. 9, EPA granted a second waiver to extend the Sept. 2 waiver, to allow regulated parties to distribute and sell conventional gasoline (CG) in the Richmond covered area through Sept. 23. Second Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning Richmond, Virginia RFG Requirements
On Sept. 2, EPA granted a limited waiver through Sept. 9 from the reformulated gasoline requirement for gasoline sold in the Richmond, Va., metropolitan area. Emergency Fuel Waiver Concerning RFG in Richmond, Virginia, September 2005